Moss Travel Media is an online travel film channel, which can be found at www.mosstravel.tv . This Blogger site showcases films from Moss Travel Media, as well as travel photographs of locations, destinations, transport, accommodation and visitor attractions.
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Sunday, August 31, 2014

http://ift.tt/1qtY67y The Regionalbahn (abbreviated RB) is a type of local passenger train (stopping train) in Germany. This film features views from a Regionalbahn 12523 service as it leaves Koblenz Hauptbahnhof, crosses the River Rhine, calls at Koblenz-Ehrenbreitstein and Vallendar. To read more about Koblenz, click here: http://ift.tt/1lqTgJh ; To read more about Koblenz Hauptbahnhof, click here: http://ift.tt/1wYhNuh ; To read more about Koblenz-Ehrenbreitstein, click here: http://ift.tt/1u4CH6z ; To read more about Vallendar, click here: http://ift.tt/1wYhLmn ; To read more about the River Rhine, click here: http://ift.tt/16TOYTp ; To read more about Regionalbahn, click here: http://ift.tt/1wYhNul ; and To read more about Deutsche Bahn, click here: http://ift.tt/1yo9WSq . If you liked this film there are many more like it on my YouTube channel http://ift.tt/1uTkpb0 please check out my channel and subscribe to my videos by clicking the red subscribe button. You can also find my travel films and photography updates on the following: Facebook: http://ift.tt/1qnoMEq please like my Facebook page; WordPress: http://ift.tt/1uTkpb3 please follow my blog by clicking the +Follow link; Tumblr: http://ift.tt/1w6b7dl please follow my blog by clicking the +Follow button; Blogger: http://ift.tt/1qnoMUM please follow my blog by bookmarking the page; Google+ just add +stuartmoss ; and You can follow my travels on Twitter @mosstraveltv or by visiting http://ift.tt/1uTkprA .

http://ift.tt/1nfZurd The Rhine Gorge is a popular name for the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a 65 km section of the River Rhine between Koblenz and Bingen in Germany. It was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in June 2002 for a unique combination of geological, historical, cultural and industrial reasons. This film features views along the Rhine Gorge from the West Rhine Railway, a famously picturesque line from a 'local' Mittelrheinbahn train as it leaves Koblenz and journey's to Oberwesel. The views are to the left side, which is predominantly an Easterly view as the train follows the path of the Rhine in an upstream direction. After leaving Koblenz, the stops are as follows: Rhens; Spay; Boppard Hbf; Boppard-Bad Salzig; Boppard-Hirzenach; Sankt Goar; and finally stopping in Oberwesel. To read more about the Rhine Gorge, click here: http://ift.tt/1lqTgJg ; To read more about the West Rhine Railway: http://ift.tt/1nfZuHt ; To read more about Koblenz, click here: http://ift.tt/1lqTgJh ; To read more about Rhens, click here: http://ift.tt/1nfZsPW ; To read more about Spay, click here: http://ift.tt/1lqTgJi ; To read more about Boppard, click here: http://ift.tt/SpPTht ; To read more about Sankt Goar, click here: http://ift.tt/1lqTekK ; and To read more about Oberwesel, click here: http://ift.tt/1lqTekO . If you liked this film there are many more like it on my YouTube channel http://ift.tt/1uTkpb0 please check out my channel and subscribe to my videos by clicking the red subscribe button. You can also find my travel films and photography updates on the following: Facebook: http://ift.tt/1qnoMEq please like my Facebook page; WordPress: http://ift.tt/1uTkpb3 please follow my blog by clicking the +Follow link; Tumblr: http://ift.tt/1w6b7dl please follow my blog by clicking the +Follow button; Blogger: http://ift.tt/1qnoMUM please follow my blog by bookmarking the page; Google+ just add +stuartmoss ; and You can follow my travels on Twitter @mosstraveltv or by visiting http://ift.tt/1uTkprA .

http://ift.tt/1nfZuaF The River Don Engine is a 1905-built steam engine used for hot rolling steel armour plate. It is a 3-cylinder simple engine of 40 inches (1.0 m) diameter, 48 inches (1.2 m) stroke. At its operating steam pressure of 160psi, it developed 12,000 horsepower (8.9 MW), and was able to reverse from full speed in 2 seconds. The rapid reverse was an essential feature of an engine used for rolling, as delays would result in cooling of the workpiece. This engine was one of four built to the same design, one going overseas to the Japanese Government, one to John Brown's Atlas plant, and the destination of the final one being unaccounted for. It is claimed to be one of the most powerful steam engines ever built, and the most powerful remaining in Europe. To read more about the River Don Engine click here: http://ift.tt/1lqTgsO ; To read more about Kelham Island Museum click here: http://ift.tt/1nfZuqV ; To read more about Sheffield click here: http://ift.tt/SspK2m ; If you liked this film there are many more like it on my YouTube channel http://ift.tt/1uTkpb0 please check out my channel and subscribe to my videos by clicking the red subscribe button. You can also find my travel films and photography updates on the following: Facebook: http://ift.tt/1qnoMEq please like my Facebook page; WordPress: http://ift.tt/1uTkpb3 please follow my blog by clicking the +Follow link; Tumblr: http://ift.tt/1w6b7dl please follow my blog by clicking the +Follow button; Blogger: http://ift.tt/1qnoMUM please follow my blog by bookmarking the page; Google+ just add +stuartmoss ; and You can follow my travels on Twitter @mosstraveltv or by visiting http://ift.tt/1uTkprA .

http://ift.tt/1nfZtmR Doncaster railway station serves the town of Doncaster, in South Yorkshire, England. It is situated on the East Coast Main Line 156 miles (251 km) north of London Kings Cross, and is about five minutes walk from Doncaster town centre. The station is managed by East Coast. It is a major passenger interchange between the East Coast Main Line and Cross Country Route and local services running across the North of England. It is also the point for which East Coast services from London divide, either branching off to Leeds or continuing north to Scotland via Newcastle and the North East. This film features footage of train movements at Doncaster Railway Station. It was shot over a 90 minute period from 09:10 to 10:40am on Friday 22nd August, 2014. In the film the following train operating companies are featured: Colas Rail - http://ift.tt/1lqTe45 ; DB Schenker Rail (UK) - http://ift.tt/1uTkoDX ; East Coast - http://ift.tt/1uTkmvK ; Freightliner - http://ift.tt/1uTkmvL ; Grand Central Railways - http://ift.tt/1qnoJIw ; Great Britain Railfreight (GBRf) - http://ift.tt/1uTkoUv ; Northern Rail - http://ift.tt/1uTkoUx ; Featured train class types are as follows: Class 43 - http://ift.tt/1uTkoUA ; Class 66 - http://ift.tt/1uTkprn ; Class 70 - http://ift.tt/1lqTe4d ; Class 91 - http://ift.tt/1qnoKMD ; and Class 142 - http://ift.tt/1nfZrLV . To read more about Doncaster Railway Station click here: http://ift.tt/1uTkpaW . To read more about the town of Doncaster click here: http://ift.tt/1qnoL36 . If you liked this film there are many more like it on my YouTube channel http://ift.tt/1uTkpb0 please check out my channel and subscribe to my videos by clicking the red subscribe button. You can also find my travel films and photography updates on the following: Facebook: http://ift.tt/1qnoMEq please like my Facebook page; WordPress: http://ift.tt/1uTkpb3 please follow my blog by clicking the +Follow link; Tumblr: http://ift.tt/1w6b7dl please follow my blog by clicking the +Follow button; and Blogger: http://ift.tt/1qnoMUM please follow my blog by bookmarking the page. You can follow my travels on Twitter @mosstraveltv or by visiting http://ift.tt/1uTkprA .

Thursday, August 21, 2014

http://ift.tt/1s6b6Qh Castleton is a village in the High Peak district of Derbyshire, England. The village lies within the Peak District at the western end of the Hope Valley on the Peakshole Water, a tributary of the River Noe. The village is situated between the areas known as the Dark Peak (to the north) and the White Peak (to the south). This film features views around the centre of Castleton, and highlights the layout of the rural village, along with some of the surrounding landscape features and Peveril Castle. Identified locations and features within this film are as follows: How Lane; Back Street; Ye Olde Nag's Head (pub / hotel); Cross Street; Peakshole Water; Peveril Castle; View towards Winnats Pass; Market Place; Saint Edmund's Church; and Castle Street. To read more about Castleton click here: http://ift.tt/YFqCdf ; The Castleton web site is here: http://ift.tt/1s6b2zW ; and To read more about The Peak District click here: http://ift.tt/IhuQux . If you liked this film there are many more like it on my YouTube channel http://ift.tt/1uTkpb0 please check out my channel and subscribe to my videos by clicking the red subscribe button. You can also find my travel films and photography updates on the following: Facebook: http://ift.tt/1qnoMEq please like my Facebook page; WordPress: http://ift.tt/1uTkpb3 please follow my blog by clicking the +Follow link; Tumblr: http://ift.tt/1w6b7dl please follow my blog by clicking the +Follow button; Blogger: http://ift.tt/1qnoMUM please follow my blog by bookmarking the page; Google+ just add +stuartmoss ; and You can follow my travels on Twitter @mosstraveltv or by visiting http://ift.tt/1uTkprA .

http://ift.tt/1BC3Imf I stayed one night at the Holiday Inn Royal Victoria recently as I was in Sheffield for a wedding. I booked a room at this hotel in advance via booking.com and got a great price of £78.50 for two people for one night bed and breakfast. When we got to our room it had two double beds in it, so technically could have slept four. The hotel is a magnificent old building, but the bedroom was in need of refurbishment, it looked and felt old, there was also no air conditioning. The Victorian architecture of the building is plain to see and some of the features, such as the old staircase are magnificent, but in many areas paint was chipped and redecoration was badly needed. The hotel reminded me of 'The Shining' in some respects! The staff were excellent and helpful, and the breakfast buffet was superb, although the restaurant was a little too busy, and we had to wait 10 minutes for a table. All in all, this hotel was good value, but the bedrooms let it down. I probably won't stay here again until it has been refurbished. The rooms at the Holiday Inn Express next door are much nicer - see my review of it here: http://ift.tt/1rmg7Z5 . To read reviews about this hotel on TripAdvisor click here: http://ift.tt/1z0QOdo . To read more about Holiday Inn click here: http://ift.tt/1bBwdny . To read more about Sheffield click here: http://ift.tt/SspK2m . If you liked this film there are many more like it on my YouTube channel http://ift.tt/1uTkpb0 please check out my channel and subscribe to my videos by clicking the red subscribe button. You can also find my travel films and photography updates on the following: Facebook: http://ift.tt/1qnoMEq please like my Facebook page; WordPress: http://ift.tt/1uTkpb3 please follow my blog by clicking the +Follow link; Tumblr: http://ift.tt/1w6b7dl please follow my blog by clicking the +Follow button; Blogger: http://ift.tt/1qnoMUM please follow my blog by bookmarking the page; Google+ just add +stuartmoss ; and You can follow my travels on Twitter @mosstraveltv or by visiting http://ift.tt/1uTkprA .

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

http://ift.tt/1BC3Imf I stayed one night at the Holiday Inn Royal Victoria recently as I was in Sheffield for a wedding. I booked a room at this hotel in advance via booking.com and got a great price of £78.50 for two people for one night bed and breakfast. When we got to our room it had two double beds in it, so technically could have slept four. The hotel is a magnificent old building, but the bedroom was in need of refurbishment, it looked and felt old, there was also no air conditioning. The Victorian architecture of the building is plain to see and some of the features, such as the old staircase are magnificent, but in many areas paint was chipped and redecoration was badly needed. The hotel reminded me of 'The Shining' in some respects! The staff were excellent and helpful, and the breakfast buffet was superb, although the restaurant was a little too busy, and we had to wait 10 minutes for a table. All in all, this hotel was good value, but the bedrooms let it down. I probably won't stay here again until it has been refurbished. The rooms at the Holiday Inn Express next door are much nicer - see my review of it here: http://ift.tt/1rmg7Z5 . To read reviews about this hotel on TripAdvisor click here: http://ift.tt/1z0QOdo . To read more about Holiday Inn click here: http://ift.tt/1bBwdny . To read more about Sheffield click here: http://ift.tt/SspK2m . If you liked this film there are many more like it on my YouTube channel http://ift.tt/1uTkpb0 please check out my channel and subscribe to my videos by clicking the red subscribe button. You can also find my travel films and photography updates on the following: Facebook: http://ift.tt/1qnoMEq please like my Facebook page; WordPress: http://ift.tt/1uTkpb3 please follow my blog by clicking the +Follow link; Tumblr: http://ift.tt/1w6b7dl please follow my blog by clicking the +Follow button; Blogger: http://ift.tt/1yWIUBD please follow my blog by bookmarking the page; Google+ just add +stuartmoss ; and You can follow my travels on Twitter @mosstraveltv or by visiting http://ift.tt/1uTkprA .

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

http://ift.tt/1oPBvUM Legendary hip hop band Public Enemy performing 'Don't Believe the Hype" live at the Leeds O2 Academy, in front of a full house. Public Enemy's website is at http://ift.tt/11yzQTx . Read more about Public Enemy here: http://ift.tt/11ePh4F .

http://ift.tt/1qogDzn Heights of Abraham is a major tourist attraction in Matlock Bath, Derbyshire, England. It consists of a hilltop park on top of Masson Hill, accessed by a Gondola cable car from the village. The cable car was opened in 1984 and is the first ever alpine cable car in Britain. The route is 568 metres (1,864 ft) long and climbs 169 metres (554 ft). This film features: views of the cable car; views from the cable car of the ascent; views from the top of Masson Hill of the surrounding countryside, towns and villages; the descent back down Masson Hill including the landscape beneath the cable car. To visit the Height of Abraham website, click here: http://ift.tt/1oPzjfX ; To read more about the Heights of Abraham, click here: http://ift.tt/1oPzjfY ; and To read about Matlock Bath, click here: http://ift.tt/1tjYW81 . If you liked this film there are many more like it on my YouTube channel http://ift.tt/1uTkpb0 please check out my channel and subscribe to my videos by clicking the red subscribe button. You can also find my travel films and photography updates on the following: Facebook: http://ift.tt/1qnoMEq please like my Facebook page; WordPress: http://ift.tt/1uTkpb3 please follow my blog by clicking the +Follow link; Tumblr: http://ift.tt/1w6b7dl please follow my blog by clicking the +Follow button; Blogger: http://ift.tt/1yWIUBD please follow my blog by bookmarking the page; and Google+ just add +stuartmoss You can follow my travels on Twitter @mosstraveltv or by visiting http://ift.tt/1uTkprA .

http://ift.tt/1oaTJKk Newark-on-Trent or Newark is a market town in Nottinghamshire in the East Midlands region of England. It stands on the River Trent, the A1 (on the route of the ancient Great North Road), and the East Coast Main Line railway. The origins of the town are possibly Roman as it lies on an important Roman road, the Fosse Way. The town grew around Newark Castle, now ruined, and a large marketplace, now lined with historic buildings. This film features views around the centre of Newark-on-Trent, with the following identified locations: Newark Northgate Railway Station; Slaughter House Lane; Wilson Street; Kirk Gate; Church Street; Parish Church of St. Mary Magdalane; Church Walk; Newark Buttermarket; The Market Square; Stodman Street / Castle Gate intersection; Castle Gate; Newark Castle & Gardens; Beastmarket Hill; River Trent; Great North Road; and Newark Castle Railway Station. To read more about Newark-on-Trent click here: http://ift.tt/Yw9IxR ; To read more about Newark Northgate Railway Station click here: http://ift.tt/1rUvvHN ; To read more about Newark Castle click here: http://ift.tt/Yw9IOi ; To read more about the River Trent click here: http://ift.tt/1nvnskY ; and To read more about Newark Castle Railway Station click here: http://ift.tt/Yw9JSa . If you liked this film there are many more like it on my YouTube channel http://ift.tt/1uTkpb0 please check out my channel and subscribe to my videos by clicking the red subscribe button. You can also find my travel films and photography updates on the following: Facebook: http://ift.tt/1qnoMEq please like my Facebook page; WordPress: http://ift.tt/1uTkpb3 please follow my blog by clicking the +Follow link; Tumblr: http://ift.tt/1w6b7dl please follow my blog by clicking the +Follow button; and Blogger: http://ift.tt/1yWIUBD please follow my blog by bookmarking the page. You can follow my travels on Twitter @mosstraveltv or by visiting http://ift.tt/1uTkprA .

http://ift.tt/1kSHDuv Newark North Gate station is a railway station serving the town of Newark-on-Trent, in Nottinghamshire, England. It is situated on the East Coast Main Line 120 miles (193 km) north of London Kings Cross, between Grantham and Retford. This film features footage of train movements at Newark Northgate Railway Station, which is on the East Coast Main Line (ECML). It features passing and stopping passenger services and one track maintenance unit. In the film the following train operating companies are featured: East Coast - http://ift.tt/1uTkmvK ; East Midlands Trains - http://ift.tt/Yw9GG6 ; First Hull Trains - http://ift.tt/1qnoJIv ; and VolkerRail - http://ift.tt/1qnoKwb . Featured train class types are as follows: Class 43 - http://ift.tt/1uTkoUA ; Class 91 - http://ift.tt/1qnoKMD ; Class 153 - http://ift.tt/Yw9GG8 ; Class 180 - http://ift.tt/1uTkprs ; and a ballast tamper - http://ift.tt/1qnoMEj . To read about Newark Northgate station click here: http://ift.tt/1rUvvHN . To read about Newark-on-Trent click here: http://ift.tt/Yw9IxR . If you liked this film there are many more like it on my YouTube channel http://ift.tt/1uTkpb0 please check out my channel and subscribe to my videos by clicking the red subscribe button. You can also find my travel films and photography updates on the following: Facebook: http://ift.tt/1qnoMEq please like my Facebook page; WordPress: http://ift.tt/1uTkpb3 please follow my blog by clicking the +Follow link; Tumblr: http://ift.tt/1w6b7dl please follow my blog by clicking the +Follow button; and Blogger: http://ift.tt/1yWIUBD please follow my blog by bookmarking the page. You can follow my travels on Twitter @mosstraveltv or by visiting http://ift.tt/1uTkprA .

http://ift.tt/1yWIU4J Doncaster railway station serves the town of Doncaster, in South Yorkshire, England. It is situated on the East Coast Main Line 156 miles (251 km) north of London Kings Cross, and is about five minutes walk from Doncaster town centre. The station is managed by East Coast. It is a major passenger interchange between the East Coast Main Line and Cross Country Route and local services running across the North of England. It is also the point for which East Coast services from London divide, either branching off to Leeds or continuing north to Scotland via Newcastle and the North East. This film features footage of train movements at Doncaster Railway Station. It was shot on two days in August 2014. At the end of the film is a bonus section featuring some footage at Doncaster Station in 2012. In the film the following train operating companies are featured: AC Locomotive Group - http://ift.tt/1qnoKfz ; Cross Country - http://ift.tt/1qnoJs4 ; DB Schenker Rail (UK) - http://ift.tt/1uTkoDX ; Direct Rail Services - http://ift.tt/1qnoKfB ; East Coast - http://ift.tt/1uTkmvK ; First Hull Trains - http://ift.tt/1qnoJIv ; Freightliner - http://ift.tt/1uTkmvL ; Grand Central Railways - http://ift.tt/1qnoJIw ; Great Britain Railfreight (GBRf) - http://ift.tt/1uTkoUv ; Network Rail - http://ift.tt/1qnoJIz ; Northern Rail - http://ift.tt/1uTkoUx ; VolkerRail - http://ift.tt/1qnoKwb ; and Wabtec Rail Limited - http://ift.tt/1uTkmvR . Featured train class types are as follows: Class 08 - http://ift.tt/1qnoJIG ; Class 37 - http://ift.tt/KTXJDj ; Class 31 - http://ift.tt/1qnoKwd ; Class 43 - http://ift.tt/1uTkoUA ; Class 47 - http://ift.tt/1qnoKwf ; Class 66 - http://ift.tt/1uTkprn ; Class 67 - http://ift.tt/1qnoKMz ; Class 87 - http://ift.tt/1uTkoUB ; Class 91 - http://ift.tt/1qnoKMD ; Class 144 - http://ift.tt/1uTkpro ; Class 158 - http://ift.tt/1uTkprq ; Class 180 - http://ift.tt/1uTkprs ; Class 220 - http://ift.tt/1uTkpaR ; and Class 322 - http://ift.tt/1uTkprt ; and ballast tampers - http://ift.tt/1qnoMEj . To read more about Doncaster Railway Station click here: http://ift.tt/1uTkpaW . To read more about the town of Doncaster click here: http://ift.tt/1qnoL36 . If you liked this film there are many more like it on my YouTube channel http://ift.tt/1uTkpb0 please check out my channel and subscribe to my videos by clicking the red subscribe button. You can also find my travel films and photography updates on the following: Facebook: http://ift.tt/1qnoMEq please like my Facebook page; WordPress: http://ift.tt/1uTkpb3 please follow my blog by clicking the +Follow link; Tumblr: http://ift.tt/1w6b7dl please follow my blog by clicking the +Follow button; and Blogger: http://ift.tt/1yWIUBD please follow my blog by bookmarking the page. You can follow my travels on Twitter @mosstraveltv or by visiting http://ift.tt/1w6b5SD .

Friday, August 15, 2014

http://ift.tt/VqmE6g Wiesbaden is a city in southwest Germany and the capital of the federal state of Hesse. Wiesbaden, together with the cities of Frankfurt am Main, Darmstadt and Mainz, is part of the Frankfurt Rhine Main Region, a metropolitan area with a combined population of about 5.8 million people. Wiesbaden has about 273,000 inhabitants, plus approximately 19,000 United States citizens (mostly associated with the United States Army). Wiesbaden is one of the oldest spa towns in Europe. Its name translates to "meadow baths," making reference to thermal springs. This film was mostly taken around Wiesbaden town centre and on the Neroberg - a mountain in the city named after Roman Emperor Nero. Featured within the film are the following identified locations and features: Reisinger Anlage; Bahnhofsplatz; Wiesbaden Hauptbahnhof; Lilien Carré (Bahnhofsplatz); Motel One; Views from the top floor of Motel One; Kaiser-Friedrich-Ring; Landeshaus; Rheinstraße / Moritzstraße junction; Landesbibliothek (National Library); Schwalbacher Straße; Rheinstraße; Ringkirche (Ring Church); An der Ringkirche; Kaspar-Kögler-Platz; Adolfsallee; St. Bonifatius Church; Rheinstraße / Kirchgasse junction; Kirchgasse; Mauritiusplatz; Heidenmauer (Heathen Wall); Am Römertor; Langgasse; Rathaus (Town Hall); Stadtschloss (City Palace); Marktkirche (Market Church); Dernsches Gelände; Wilhelmstraße; Teich am Warmen Damm; Hessisches Staatstheater; Kurhaus; Nerotal Viaduct with the Nerobergbahn (funicular railway); Ride up the Neroberg on the Nerobergbahn; Views over Wiesbaden from the Neroberg; and the Aussichtstempel (Promising Temple). To read more about Wiesbaden click here: http://ift.tt/1mYMNnf . To read more about the state of Hesse click here: http://ift.tt/1oABG68 . To read more about Neroberg and the Nerobergbahn click here: http://ift.tt/1uKvOa5

http://ift.tt/1ozHWva Mainz is the capital of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate in Germany. The city is located on the river Rhine at its confluence with the Main opposite Wiesbaden, in the western part of the Frankfurt Rhine-Main; in the modern age, Frankfurt shares much of its regional importance. This film features the following features and locations: Gutenbergplatz Gutenberg Statue Staatstheater Mainz Markt Mainz Cathedral Nagelsäule Neubrunnenplatz Obelisk Theodor-Heuss-Brücke River Rhine Sandsteinreliefs der sieben Kurfürsten und des deutschen Königs (Sandstone monument to the seven Kings) Mainz Strand 'The Beach' View across the Rhine to Mainz-Kastel Weisenauer Straße Favorite Parkhotel Mainz Sudbrücke Where the Main River meets the Rhine (Gustavsburg) To read more about Mainz click here: http://ift.tt/150aTp4 To read more about the River Rhine click here: http://ift.tt/16TOYTp To read more about the Main River click here: http://ift.tt/1fWmD3P

Thursday, August 14, 2014

http://ift.tt/1rx6x14 Mainz Cathedral or St. Martin's Cathedral (in German Mainzer Dom, Martinsdom or - officially - Der Hohe Dom zu Mainz) is located near the historical centre and pedestrianised market square of the city of Mainz, Germany. This 1000 year-old Roman Catholic cathedral is the site of the episcopal see of the Bishop of Mainz. This film features views both outside and inside Mainz Cathedral. To see more information about Mainz Cathedral click here: http://ift.tt/1ruMccz To see more information about Mainz click here: http://ift.tt/150aTp4

http://ift.tt/1q9SCvK Kastel is the historical bridgehead of Mainz, the capital of the German state Rhineland-Palatinate and is located on the right side of the Rhine river. Kastel faces the historical center of Mainz and the two cities are connected by a road bridge. Kastel is located about one kilometer below today's water mouth of the river Main into the Rhine. In its long history Kastel repeatedly belonged to Mainz and was formally incorporated on 1 April 1908. Since Mainz was part of the French occupation zone (formed after World War II) and Kastel was part of the American occupation zone, the Americans ordained that Kastel should be part of the administration of Wiesbaden. Ever since 25 July 1945, Kastel belongs to the Hessian state capital Wiesbaden. This film was taken between the River Rhine and the Railway Station of Mainz-Kastel. It features the following: Views across the River Rhine to Mainz and it's buildings Theodor-Heuss-Brücke Bastion von Schonborn restaurant Museum Castellum Amazing graffiti art beneath the Theodor-Heuss-Brücke The view down the Rhine to Nordbrücke Rheinufer Street Mainz-Kastel Station To read more about Mainz-Kastel click here: http://ift.tt/1oPKKn2 To read more about Wiesbaden click here: http://ift.tt/1mYMNnf To read more about Mainz click here: http://ift.tt/150aTp4 To read more about German railways click here: http://ift.tt/1yo9WSq To read more about the River Rhine click here: http://ift.tt/1owHWfb To read more about graffiti art click here: http://ift.tt/1ruMe4k To read more about Mainz Cathedral click here: http://ift.tt/1ruMccz To read more about Theodor-Heuss-Brücke click here: http://ift.tt/1owHWfg To read more about Nordbrücke click here: http://ift.tt/1ruMccA To read more about Christ Church in Mainz click here: http://ift.tt/1owHTQL See reviews of Bastion von Schonborn on Trip Advisor here: http://ift.tt/1ruMccE The Museum Castellum web site is here: http://ift.tt/1owHTQN To read more about Mainz-Kastel Station click here: http://ift.tt/1ruMekI

http://ift.tt/1q9SCfs This film features views from the S9 train on a short journey from Mainz-Gustavsburg to Wiesbaden Hauptbahnhof. The train crosses the rive rhine twice on this journey, firstly over the Eisenbrücke, before going through Mainz Römisches Theater Station, Mainz Süd, Mainz Hauptbahnhof, Mainz Nord, and then past the huge Rhine container port on the banks of the River Rhine before crossing the Rhine for the second time on the Nordbrücke (formerly the Kaiserbrücke). From here the journey goes through Wiesbaden Ost into Wiesbaden Hautbahnhof. To read more about Wiesbaden click here: http://ift.tt/1mYMNnf To read more about Wiesbaden Hauptbahnhof click here: http://ift.tt/1kVUs7B To read more about Mainz click here: http://ift.tt/150aTp4 To read more about Mainz Hauptbahnhof click here: http://ift.tt/1owHWfa To read more about German railways click here: http://ift.tt/1yo9WSq To read more about Ginsheim-Gustavsburg click here: http://ift.tt/1ruMe48 To read more about the River Rhine click here: http://ift.tt/1owHWfb

http://ift.tt/1nRCcqE This film features views from the short journey between Wiesbaden Hauptbahnhof and Bahnhof Mainz-Kastel. It predominantly features views of the railway infrastructure, surrounding industry, woodland and the Wiesbaden suburbs. To read more about Wiesbaden click here: http://ift.tt/1mYMNnf To read more about Wiesbaden Hauptbahnhof click here: http://ift.tt/1kVUs7B To read more about Mainz-Kastel click here: http://ift.tt/1oPKKn2

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

http://ift.tt/1lVEoh6 Mainz-Bischofsheim station is the station of the town of Bischofsheim in the German state of Hesse on the Main Railway from Mainz to Frankfurt am Main. It is classified by Deutsche Bahn as a category 4 station. The station is served by the S-Bahn and regional trains. The station was opened at its current location in 1904. This film features footage taken at Mainz-Bischofsheim Railway Station in Wiesbaden, Germany of passing and stopping passenger and freight services. It features a variety of passenger services including local, regional, intercity, ICE and International trains. It also features a number of freight trains including container trains, lorries and intermodal trains as well as a light shunter. To read more about Mainz-Bischofsheim station click here: http://ift.tt/1vJpOTg To read more about Bischofsheim click here: http://ift.tt/1nQlA2g To read more about Wiesbaden click here: http://ift.tt/1vJpN1O To read more about German Railways click here: http://ift.tt/1yo9WSq

http://ift.tt/1szkRKJ This film features footage both of and on the Frankfurt Airport Skyline, a small two car electric train people mover system that moves passengers between terminals. The film begins at terminal 2 with the approach of a Skyline Train, before taking a forward perspective view of the entire journey from Terminal 2 to Terminal 1. The journey is then reversed, but this time with a view over the airport apron, where several parked aircraft can be seen. To read more about Frankfurt Airport visit here: http://ift.tt/wMKooA For information about the Skyline and orientation at the airport visit here: http://ift.tt/1szkRKL

http://ift.tt/1sUmVus This film features views of the Nerobergbahn, a water and gravity powered funicular railway, which travels up a hill called the Neroberg in Wiesbaden. The train is powered by the weight of water and gravity, which takes one unit down the hill, while at the same time pulling a second unit up the hill. Water is taken on at the top and released at the bottom, thus creating a weight differentiation. The film features views of the train and viaduct, the ride up the hill, views from the Neroberg station of a train descending, and the taking on of water. After which the views are at the Neroberg featuring a First World War memorial, the magnificent views over Wiesbaden, some zoomed and panned shots of the city centre, fields of grape vines, and some of the architectural structures at the top of the Neroberg. The film ends with the view from the Nerobergbahn descending the mountain, most of this footage is speeded up 4 times. Read about the Neroberg Funicular Railway here: http://ift.tt/1uKvOa5 Read about Wiesbaden here: http://ift.tt/1mYMNnf

http://ift.tt/1q6qCZY I stayed at the Motel One in Wiesbaden on a recent visit to the city. The hotel is conveniently located next to the Hauptbahnhof, which is a 15-20 minute walk (or a number 6 bus ride) from the true central business district of Wiesbaden. The hotel is almost brand new and very modern. It has the typical minimalist Motel One decor, albeit with a stylish lobby area. The bedroom whilst pretty stark was comfortable and I had no problems sleeping during my stay. The bathroom was very compact but served it's purpose, which is really similar to how I would describe the hotel, which is 'functional'. Everything works, and it serves its purpose. I would stay here again, and I would recommend it to other travellers that want easy access (less than 5 minute walk) to the train station. Read more about motel One here: http://ift.tt/1oH7C8c Read more about Wiesbaden here: http://ift.tt/1mYMNnf Book a room at the Motel On Wiesbaden through booking.com here: http://ift.tt/1q6qAkU

http://ift.tt/1oG2CM7 This film features footage at and around Wiesbaden's main railway station. It begins with the approach into Wiesbaden Hauptbahnhof, followed by: views from the platform by day of arriving and departing services; views of the station building; views of arriving and departing services to the station from the top floor of the nearby Motel One; and views from the platforms of arriving and departing services at night. More information about Wiesbaden Hauptbahnhof can be found here: http://ift.tt/1kVUs7B More information about Wiesbaden can be found here: http://ift.tt/1mYMNnf More information about Deutsche Bahn can be found here: http://ift.tt/1yo9WSq

Monday, August 11, 2014

http://ift.tt/1sRPfxy This film features views from the platform at Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof of arriving and departing services including local, regional, intercity and ICE services. You can read more about Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof here: http://ift.tt/1bKQkgF You can read more about Deutsche Bahn here: http://ift.tt/1yo9WSq

http://ift.tt/1pnjufq I recently stayed for one night at the Maritim Hotel at Düsseldorf Airport while visiting Germany. My flight into Düsseldorf did not arrive until night-time making any forward connections risky should my flight have been delayed. With this in mind I booked a room for £70.00 through Booking.com at The Maritim Hotel. The hotel is situated just outside of Terminal C, there is a covered walkway to the hotel, which is around 200 metres away. The hotel is large and bright with much steel and glass construction. Check-in was easy and fast, the elevators are very fast. My room was both spacious and modern. I really liked it, the fixtures and furniture were very high quality. I slept well. I didn't have breakfast the next morning, as at 24 Euro, it was just too expensive. I did use the swimming pool, which was really lovely, I very much enjoyed a nice quiet hour in there alone. I would use this hotel again, and I would recommend it to others. Read more about Düsseldorf Airport here: http://ift.tt/16vowNI Read more about Maritim Hotels here: http://ift.tt/1yo9Z0t See this hotel on Booking.com here: http://ift.tt/1oE1hKA

http://ift.tt/1uHkMme This short film is taken at Düsseldorf Airport Railway Station. The station is served by both local, regional, inter-city and ICE services. The film features arrivals and departures to the stations platforms. Read more about Dusseldorf Airport here: http://ift.tt/16vowNI Read more about Dusseldorf Airport Railway Station here: http://ift.tt/1oE1eP6 Read more about Deutsche Bahn here: http://ift.tt/1yo9WSq

http://ift.tt/1sPoHNw This film features views in the German states of Hesse and Rhineland Palatinate along the Cologne to Frankfurt high speed railway line from an ICE-3 train which reaches speeds up to 297km/h. The footage has been edited to remove most of the cuttings, tunnels and parts of the journey that lack any scenery. The original soundtrack has been kept and overlaid on the footage. The journey begins at Wiesbaden Hauptbahnhof, and then travels via Limburg Süd to Montabaur. Read more about the German Inter City Express (ICE) trains here: http://ift.tt/1kVUs7z Read more about the Cologne - Frankfurt high speed line here: http://ift.tt/VbR2S3 Read about the stations featured in the video below. Wiesbaden - http://ift.tt/1kVUs7B Limburg Süd - http://ift.tt/VbR38h Montabaur - http://ift.tt/1kVUs7D

http://ift.tt/1uffeBP This film features footage from an EasyJet flight flying from Napoli to Liverpool, as it flies over the Alpine Mountain Range between Northern Italy and South Eastern Switzerland. Many snow capped peaks and some lakes are visible from the aircraft, which is flying at a height of 16,400 feet (5km). Information about the Alps can be found here: http://ift.tt/VdECsn Information about EasyJet can be found here: http://ift.tt/1mAluwj

http://ift.tt/1uffeBP This film features footage from an EasyJet flight flying from Napoli to Liverpool, as it flies over the Alpine Mountain Range between Northern Italy and South Eastern Switzerland. Many snow capped peaks and some lakes are visible from the aircraft, which is flying at a height of 16,400 feet (5km). Information about the Alps can be found here: http://ift.tt/VdECsn Information about EasyJet can be found here: http://ift.tt/1mAluwj

http://ift.tt/1srF1X0 This film features a flight over North Cheshire, Merseyside and a landing at Liverpool John Lennon Airport. At the airport the aeroplane taxis for several minutes into position, giving excellent views of the apron and parked aircraft. There are several identified locations visible from the air, these are labelled in the video, information about each location can be found below. Chester - http://ift.tt/JbdqFx Alvanley - http://ift.tt/1srF1X4 Helsby - http://ift.tt/1srF2di Manchester Ship Canal - http://ift.tt/1srF2dm River Mersey - http://ift.tt/QVUCvg River Weaver - http://ift.tt/1mAluwe Weston - http://ift.tt/1mAluwf Runcorn - http://ift.tt/1mAluwh Weston Point - http://ift.tt/1srF3y4 Hale - http://ift.tt/1mAlso8 Liverpool John Lennon Airport - http://ift.tt/1srF3y6 The flight was with EasyJet - http://ift.tt/1mAluwj

http://ift.tt/1srF1X0 This film features a flight over North Cheshire, Merseyside and a landing at Liverpool John Lennon Airport. At the airport the aeroplane taxis for several minutes into position, giving excellent views of the apron and parked aircraft. There are several identified locations visible from the air, these are labelled in the video, information about each location can be found below. Chester - http://ift.tt/JbdqFx Alvanley - http://ift.tt/1srF1X4 Helsby - http://ift.tt/1srF2di Manchester Ship Canal - http://ift.tt/1srF2dm River Mersey - http://ift.tt/QVUCvg River Weaver - http://ift.tt/1mAluwe Weston - http://ift.tt/1mAluwf Runcorn - http://ift.tt/1mAluwh Weston Point - http://ift.tt/1srF3y4 Hale - http://ift.tt/1mAlso8 Liverpool John Lennon Airport - http://ift.tt/1srF3y6 The flight was with EasyJet - http://ift.tt/1mAluwj

Friday, August 08, 2014

I am writing this review in relation to a cruise taken on the MSC Splendida from the 7th to the 14th of July, 2014. The cruise itinerary was Naples - Messina - La Goulette - Barcelona - Marseilles - Genoa - Naples, with a day at sea between La Goulette and Barcelona. I was part of a party of four, myself, my wife and my parents, we had two deck 11 cabins with balconies 11184 and 11186.

I have produced a detailed video of the ship, and shorter videos from each of the ports of call. The video of MSC Splendida is here: http://youtu.be/HAaxSAAE8pg

I will firstly go through the itinerary and then discuss specific aspects of the ship and cruise experience. We took an early flight from Liverpool airport to Naples, and a taxi to the port. This went very smoothly, and we were the first people to arrive and check in, so there were no queues. The downside to being so early was that we arrived 2 hours before the ship arrived in port and 4 hours before we could board (it was supposed to be 3 1/2). We were given a token with number 1 on it, which was our boarding order, "great" I said, "theoretically we should be first on board".

We were sat in a large holding area, it wasn't uncomfortable, but some softer chairs wouldn't have gone amiss for such a long wait. There was a small shop open and we bought very inexpensive drinks and snacks to while away the time. Over the next few hours the holding area filled up, mostly with Italians, and eventually the ship arrived. MSC staff began to mingle and try and sell the Allegrissimo drinks package (we already had it), and massages which we weren't interested in.

The MSC staff seemed to take a frustratingly long time setting up for boarding, I believe there was an issue with the computers. The Italian passengers seemed unable to cope with the delay and whined and jostled for position to see what was going on. Finally it was time to go forward, even though we had the number 1 token, we were still about 20th in line as many others had a number 1 also, and they didn't seem to understand the concept of queuing, this was unfortunately going to become a theme throughout the week. We had previously been on two other Italian cruises (one MSC and one Costa) and the lack of manners displayed by many passengers was annoying in the past, but on this cruise it turned out to be infuriating.

Once we had got our cruise cards, we walked to the ship where we were forced to pose for a photo behind a ships wheel with a picture of a generic MSC ship on the backdrop behind. This was also something that annoyed me, the waste of photo paper and ink cartridges on thousands of unpurchased photographs. This is a topic that I will go further into later on in this review.

We finally boarded the ship via the security screening control and made our way to our cabins, where my suitcase awaited, with a large 'Security Checked' sticker on it. The other cases took around 15 minutes to arrive. I am presuming that the sticker on my case meant that it had been opened, as I had a collapsible walking stick in there with a large handle, which on an x-Ray machine may have looked like an ice pick.

The cabins were good, and the bed large and comfortable, although we would have preferred a light quilt to blankets. There was plenty of storage space, and with the addition of a strip plug that I had brought, there were sufficient plug sockets. The balcony was a good size and the rattan style balcony furniture comfortable. The bathroom whilst compact, was bright, clean and completely adequate.

After unpacking we made our way to deck 15 where we sat in the sun with a drink until the departure from Naples, which was on time.

On the first evening we ate in the deck 14 buffet restaurant, which was very busy but just about doable. The food was good, especially the pizza and pasta - what else would you expect from an Italian cruise ship?

We then had to attend the emergency safety briefing at 16:45, we got there dead on time to find that it had started 5 minutes early so we did not see the life belt demonstration. We followed out a group who like ourselves were allocated 'G' as their muster station. The party were lead by one of the dancers who seemed pretty clueless and offered very little in the way of information. We never had our cards scanned, and were not shown the lifeboats, at the point of us finding our muster station another group heading to muster station 'I' merged with our group, and at this point, the whole exercise broke down into pointless futility. We just sat down and ordered four glasses of wine while everyone else either looked confused or posed for pictures in their life vests. The next day we received a letter telling us off for not attending the drill! I rang reception and told them exactly what happened to be told "OK no problem, don't worry about it". This was our second experience of an MSC safety briefing being a pointless box-ticking exercise, which seemed like it was for insurance purposes only.

We docked at Messina on time the next day, some passengers disembarked and some new ones came aboard, this happened at most ports. We toured Messina on foot, just walking around for a couple of hours. We saw some of the main sites including Chiesa del Carmine where we were lucky enough to find the bell tower open to the public (it isn't usually) and the Cathedral (Duomo). MSC do not provide very good information for passengers about the ports of call, instead they push their own excursions, which were expensive, and in all honesty, it was nice to get away from the other cruise passengers! My first ever cruise was on the Thomson Celebration, and despite it's comparative decrepidness, Thomson always provided very detailed handouts about public transport in the ports of call as well as street maps. I wish that the Italian cruise companies would do the same (Costa are also poor at doing this).

The next day we called at La Goullette in Tunisia, which is a small pointless destination unless you intend to travel outside of the port area using some form of transport. My parents opted to stay on board the ship, so my wife and I took a taxi to Carthage (7km each way for 20 Euro return). We haggled the taxi driver down from 40 Euro before setting off.

The Carthage museum was a bit boring, I was disappointed with the lack of excavation areas to walk around, it cost 5 euro each in, the cathedral next door was 3 Euro each in, and that was very impressive. We headed back to the ship afterwards, having spent 90 minutes there, which was ample. I think that we probably missed the most that Carthage had to offer, and we should have explored in greater depth. I’m sure I’ll return to La Goulette on a future cruise, so if I do I’ll explore further - I’ll also use the little train which goes right passed the port instead of getting a taxi, but will need to take some Tunisian currency for it.

The next day was at sea, unfortunately an area of low pressure meant cloudy skies and stormy seas, the ship didn't exactly lurch around, but it moved enough to make quite a few passengers seasick. The restaurant was unusually quiet that night.

Barcelona the next day saw the ship completely deserted, it was lovely to take advantage of the empty sunbathing areas and pool. We had been to Barca twice before, so stayed on the ship until midday enjoying the completely empty sunbathing area and swimming pools, then took a 15 Euro taxi (between 4 of us) to the castle for the impressive views from Montjuïc. At the port, the bus from the shop to the bottom of the Ramblas cost 8.90 Euro each return, which was a bit of a rip off. Our taxis were much better value and to anyone else doing this cruise I would certainly suggest considering the taxi option over the buses, particularly if there are four of you. It's a pity that MSC and Costa dock so far away at the port. I noticed a Thomson ship much closer to the city, literally beneath the cable car.

Marseille was another expensive transfer bus from the port to the city centre (16.90 Euro each). The crew who disembarked walked along the port and then took service buses and trains, and if I came here again I would investigate these options prior to arrival. I even heard a rumour of a free bus (after I’d got back on ship). Marseille is a city of stark contrasts, from the very touristic old port to run down back streets just off the main tourist drag. I loved it, but my parents felt a bit intimidated in some of the areas (a few groups of youths hanging around smoking pot). We didn’t visit what must be the main sight (Notre Dame de la Garde), not intentionally but we walked around so much in the city that we were all tired out, particularly in the oppressive heat. We did visit Paroisse St Vincent which was definitely worth seeing. We returned to the bus back to the port after a long weary walk to just miss one - sod’s law. We had to stand in the sun for 20 minutes until the next one came - keep in mind to bring a hat. As usual some people just pushed in the queue instead of joining it at the back.

Our penultimate day was at Genova (Genoa), the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, a major base for MSC and Costa, and a large impressive port surrounded by buildings on terraced hillsides. We got off the ship and made our way through the extensive terminal to the bus stop for the City Sightseeing tour. I believe we paid 15 Euro each for a hop-off hop-on tour of the city (the ticket lasted 24 hours). There was a nearby Metro station, and I wanted to use it, but in the end we went for the easier option in terms of city exploration to the main sites (it was a VERY hot day). We saw Piazza de Ferrari which is worth a ten minute photo stop, Scalinata delle Tre Caravelle - again worth some photos and the Victoria Arch. We walked to the main railway station (Brignole), which is an impressive building, but unfortunately my Dad took poorly with the heat, so we had to get the bus back to the port (there was a City Sightseeing stop at Brignole).

Napoli was our disembarkation port, we arrived around midday, after having to leave our cabins for 9am. Rather than leaving the ship under procession with the other foot passengers, we stayed on board, had lunch and got our final day money’s worth out of the drinks package. We left the ship around 3pm. The streets of Napoli are an eye opener, anarchy seems to rule, there is little regard for traffic signals on pedestrian crossings, and horns sound constantly. It’s a bit like watching a flock of starlings flying in the sky, it looks chaotic, but you rarely see a collision. We stayed on the lovely and quiet Via Partenope (traffic free) in the Royal Continental hotel for a night as our flight back to Liverpool wasn’t until the next day. I would certainly recommend that hotel if you are cruising from Napoli and need to do a stay over to accommodate your flights. It is close to the port, although the one-way system means that it is a 15-20 Euro taxi ride away.

With regards to the cruise experience, I would like to make the following positive points:

The cruise ship is fantastic, really high spec and modern.

The cabins were large and comfortable with a great bed, and the balcony was a MUST, there was lots of storage space and the towels were replenished more than once per day.

The food in the La Reggia restaurant was incredible, I thoroughly enjoyed every single dish, it is the best food I have ever had on a cruise ship - which is in stark contrast to the food on the MSC Divina two years ago, which was poor.

The ports of call were mostly really good and interesting, La Goulette was nothing special in itself, but was in close proximity to Carthage. We had sufficient time in port each day to see what we wanted to see, and disembarking / embarking was easy at each port.

The number of multi-lingual announcements played into the cabins has reduced from my last MSC experience, there are more in the communal areas of the ship and corridors but not as many in cabins.

There were plenty of sun beds, even on busy days it was possible to find one. The sun beds also have a pull-over shade to keep the sun off your face should you wish. Many people who were reading seemed to use this.

You don’t need to take a pool towel, they are provided at the pool when you show your card.

The pool at the back of deck 14 was often empty when the ship was in port, particularly in the morning - a nice retreat for a bit of peace.

There are lots of different bars to try.

There was draught Newcastle Brown Ale in one of the bars - this is something of a rarity anywhere - even Newcastle!

The Allegrissimo drinks package at around £20.00 per day is DEFINITELY worth it. It includes most cocktails, most standard brand spirits, all draught drinks, many liquors (including my favourite Drambuie), wine, coffee, soft drinks, ice cream…I could go on. I wouldn’t consider cruising with MSC and not having this excellent package.

The cocktails on board MSC cruise ships are absolutely superb - definitely a MUST, even the non-alcoholic kids cocktails such as the ‘Dirty Banana’ are lovely and refreshing in the daytime, particularly after returning to the ship from the baking Summer heat in the ports of call.

The highlight of the week’s entertainment (most of which I wasn’t enamoured with) was the ‘Parisien’ show - I do like a good Can Can, and they certainly could could - here’s a clip of it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGeFzW58zkA

With regards to the cruise experience, I would like to make the following criticisms:

Being press-ganged into having photographs taken that we were NEVER going to purchase, this first happens at pre-boarding against a cheesie backdrop and during every evening meal, it was just plain annoying, this is also such an environmentally unfriendly practice (waste power, paper and ink cartridges). I have hated this practice on every cruise I have ever been on. I’ve decided to write to my MEP over this practice, as I believe that in the 21st century that there must be a more environmentally friendly technological solution to this extremely wasteful practice. If the cruise companies won’t do it voluntarily, then maybe it’s time for changes in legislation. MSC wrote in plenty of places about their environmental policy, but this doesn’t seem to extend to photographs.

My fellow passengers were largely not a pleasure to cruise with. There was too much pushing and shoving, barging in queues, and far too many kids. The behaviour of many left a lot to be desired. Every Brit / Irish / American / South African and Australian I spoke to on the cruise had pretty much the same opinion. This is a real downside to cruising in the Med with MSC. I do wonder if Northern European cruises have better mannered passengers. This ship holds 4,000 passengers and was just about full. On top of this, MSC offer kids (0-17) for free. There were simply too many kids on board, too many families and not enough peace. The moral of the story, don’t cruise in the Med with MSC from June to August if you want peace and quiet. The noise wasn’t always the kids - it was often the loud mouthed parents shrieking at them.

Some passengers simply ignored the rule about not smoking in non-smoking cabins and on balconies, my Dad even saw somebody light up in a corridor! Disgusting anti-social behaviour that MSC need to police more closely.

There were not enough lifts on the ship, and again lift etiquette from passengers was non-existent, it was literally a free-for-all, and at times a scrum, not even the disabled in wheelchairs were given any sympathy.

The deck 14 buffet restaurant was very busy after 7:30am, during mid to late afternoon it was like playing rugby to get to the food, again horrible ill-mannered impatient passengers. Lunch times and evening meals were times of great frustration. Many of the Spanish and Italian passengers made their own mini buffets in the middle of their tables, the food from which was rarely finished and would then be wasted. Some people used the huge oversized plates to the extreme, again loading up with far more than can be physically eaten, I watched one lady put EIGHT peaches on her plate and then sit down with her husband, they ate four and left four, which were then cleared away to go to waste. The amount of food waste was both eye-watering and depressing. What was worse was that many people were encouraging small children to load up large plates with far more food than they could eat - this was just extremely sad. I would like MSC to stop using the huge oversized plates in Europe (I can’t comment outside of Europe as I’ve never cruised beyond the Med). Unfortunately too many people are not educated enough to use them responsibly. In future I’m going to try and avoid the buffet restaurants, as they were quite a negative aspect of the cruise. I am also writing to my MEP about the food waste, as I believe cruise operators need to take a greater responsibility for this.

The entertainment is not aimed at a British or American market, it is aimed at the Italian and Spanish markets. Personally speaking I found it a bit dull, out-dated and at times VERY cheesie - even one of the main singers was called Frankie Carbonara! The musicians in most bars played over backing tracks that sounded like they were from 1970s TV shows. Whilst the entertainment was fine for most of the passengers, it was repetitive and pretty boring to me a 40 something Brit. There was no stand-up comedy, and no variety. Even the main stage shows were just singing and dancing with the odd acrobat thrown in. The main stage shows also only lasted 30 minutes, and never began on time, usually 10-15 minutes late.

Sometimes the bar service was slow, and we would wait 10 minutes plus to be served. This wasn’t always because it was too busy (although sometimes it was). Some of the bars were understaffed, and on more than one occasion staff members were stood talking, seemingly oblivious to the fact that customers were waiting. I’m only mentioning this, as it is the first time that I have experienced this on a cruise ship.

Despite all of my criticisms, I DEFINITELY DID ENJOY THE CRUISE, and I would definitely still cruise with MSC in future. But I felt that I should present an honest and balanced review of my experience taking into account both positives and negatives. The Allegrissimo drinks package makes an MSC Cruise a great deal more affordable than many other cruise lines. The ships are modern with plenty of different bars, and the large open deck on top is great. The cabin was really comfortable, and some of my happiest times were just sat quietly on the balcony looking over the sea, which I found quite hypnotic and very relaxing. Would I take another Mediterranean cruise with MSC during the Summer months? Probably not, I would rather go before or after the high season when hopefully the ship may be a little quieter… but I’ll never say never!

If you liked this review, and the videos linked from it, there are many more like it on my YouTube channel, which you can find at www.mosstravel.tv - please Subscribe to the channel by pressing the red ‘Subscribe’ button, I’m also on Twitter @mosstraveltv and on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/mosstravel .

We booked the cruise through Tony at Sky Blue Cruising (part of the co-op travel group) and I would certainly book through him again as he was extremely helpful, his number is 01183753802. Tony organised us a night at the Liverpool Airport Holiday Inn Express, return flights with EasyJet, the 7 night cruise, and a night in Naples at the Royal Continental Hotel.